Hungary's anti-corruption agency has recovered $19.5 million in hidden cash during an investigation into former minister Miklós Seszták, prompting Prime Minister Péter Magyar to declare the seizure 'officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia.'
The National Asset Recovery and Protection Office said it found the cash during two days of searches in Budapest and three counties, buried in forests and hidden in agricultural buildings, warehouses and residential properties, as well as in high-value safes at secluded locations.
Finance Minister András Kármán said 12 Treasury employees spent eight hours counting the banknotes using five counting machines. The recovered sum comprised 5.07 billion Hungarian forints (€13.3 million), €2.66 million and $1.26 million.
Magyar described the discovery as a turning point. The seizure 'officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia,' he said, adding that 'as of today, Viktor Orbán is a proven mafia boss.'
The investigation into Seszták, who served as national development minister from 2014 to 2018, centres on allegations he accepted more than $37 million in bribes linked to overpriced used buses and state construction projects. He was taken into custody in September and has denied wrongdoing.
The probe is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign, dubbed 'Operation Purgatory,' launched by Magyar after his centre-right Tisza party won a landslide victory in April's parliamentary election, ending Orbán's 16-year rule. Magyar has pledged to repair ties with the European Union, which were strained under Orbán. The campaign has also seen the detention of former central bank governor György Matolcsy over alleged misuse of public funds, and of Orbán's younger brother on human trafficking and influence peddling charges.
Orbán has condemned the investigations as 'political persecution' and 'tyranny' aimed at removing him from politics. He described his brother's detention as an act of political revenge. A November poll by Median showed support for Orbán's Fidesz party had fallen to 16%, roughly half its level before the election.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The seizure gives the Magyar government a major symbolic victory in its anti-corruption campaign, potentially shifting public trust and political dynamics.
- It escalates the confrontation between the new administration and Orbán's Fidesz party, with consequences for Hungary's relationship with the European Union.
- The scale of hidden cash underscores the alleged extent of graft under Orbán's rule.
Background
Viktor Orbán ruled Hungary for 16 years until his defeat in April 2026 by Péter Magyar's Tisza party, which campaigned on a promise to tackle corruption and repair EU ties. After taking office, Magyar established the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office with broad investigative and prosecutorial powers. Several figures from the Orbán era have been detained, including former central bank governor György Matolcsy and Orbán's younger brother, in a widening crackdown known as 'Operation Purgatory.'
Key Perspectives
Prime Minister Péter Magyar: Hailed the cash seizure as a turning point, saying the discovery 'officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia' and calling Viktor Orbán a 'proven mafia boss.'
Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán: Denounced the investigations as 'political persecution' and 'tyranny,' claiming his brother's detention was an act of political revenge.
What to Watch
- Whether further charges are brought against Orbán or his close associates as the crackdown continues.
- The European Union's response to Magyar's anti-corruption push and its impact on EU-Hungary relations.
- Public support trends for Fidesz, which a November poll put at 16%.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedHungary seized cash worth $19.5 million that was buried in forests.World news | The Guardian: “Hungary’s anti-corruption agency said on Friday it had seized cash worth $19.5m (£14.8m) buried in forests”
- SupportedThe seizure took place as a former minister was under investigation.World news | The Guardian: “while investigating an ex-minister of nationalist former leader Viktor Orbán’s cabinet.”
- SupportedThe cash included forints, euros and US dollars and was hidden in forests and buildings.World news | The Guardian: “investigators found large amounts of cash: buried in forests, hidden in agricultural and warehouse buildings as well as residential properties”
- SupportedMiklós Seszták is accused of taking bribes in a scheme involving secondhand buses bought at inflated prices by the state transport company.World news | The Guardian: “Miklós Seszták, Hungary’s minister of national development between 2014 and 2018, is accused of taking bribes in a scheme involving the state transport company, purchasing secondhand buses at inflated prices.”
- SupportedThe NVVH said searches on Thursday and Friday were part of criminal proceedings against Seszták.World news | The Guardian: “said it searched several locations on Thursday and Friday as part of the criminal proceedings against Seszták.”
- SupportedThe NVVH said investigators found cash “buried in forests, hidden in agricultural and warehouse buildings as well as residential properties, and stored in high-value safes in secluded locations.”World news | The Guardian: ““During the search, investigators found large amounts of cash: buried in forests, hidden in agricultural and warehouse buildings as well as residential properties, and stored in high-value safes in secluded locations,” the statement said.”
- SupportedThe cash found totalled 5,071,632,000 forints, €2,658,350 and US $1,257,100, with a combined value of $19.5 million.World news | The Guardian: ““The total amount of cash found during the two-day search was 5,071,632,000 forints, €2,658,350 and US $1,257,100,” it added, bringing the combined value to $19.5m.”
- SupportedThe NVVH said its staff deposited the cash into the Hungarian State Treasury’s account.World news | The Guardian: “NVVH said its staff deposited the cash into the Hungarian State Treasury’s account.”
- SupportedFinance Minister András Kármán said 12 Treasury employees spent eight hours counting the money using five counting machines.World news | The Guardian: ““Upon receipt, 12 Treasury employees spent 8 hours counting the money using 5 counting machines,” the finance minister, András Kármán, said on Facebook.”
- SupportedMagyar said, “This officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia!”World news | The Guardian: ““This officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia!” he said in reference to Orbán’s former governing coalition.”
- SupportedOrbán had called the probes targeting his inner circle “political persecution” aimed at imprisoning him.World news | The Guardian: “Orbán had previously denounced the probes targeting his inner circle as “political persecution” aimed at imprisoning him.”
- SupportedSeszták, two other Orbán-era ministers and the former premier’s brother have been taken into custody in different cases.World news | The Guardian: “Seszták, two other Orbán-era ministers and the former premier’s brother have been taken into custody in different cases”